Green your home + Energy efficiency | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/series/green-your-home+energyefficiency
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Alok Jha on the best eco lightbulbshttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/sep/25/eco-lightbulbs-energy-saving-bills
While greening his house, Alok Jha became an eco-lightbulb obsessive. The result? All his lighting is now low-energy - and he's managed to slash his electricity bills by 60%<p>It wasn't always like this. A few months ago, I barely gave lightbulbs a thought. I never worried about start-up times, lumens per watt and colour spectra, or questioned whether I could find a suitable bulb for my most awkward sockets at home. The most exciting bulb-related thing to have happened to me was a late introduction, in my mid-20s, to recessed halogen spotlights.</p><p>Now, it's bordering on an obsession. Everywhere I go, every room I enter, I find myself calculating the wattage of the lights. From my dentist's chair last week, I noticed at least a dozen 50-watt halogens embedded in the ceiling and a smattering of fluorescent striplights (in addition to that super-bright lamp trained on my face). From my desk at work, I can count 160 striplights and 50 individual lightbulbs – some energy-efficient, many not, all switched on while it's bright and sunny outside. In a tiny clothes shop in Bristol, I counted 50 boiling hot, 35-watt spotlights all pointed at walls or into clothes – and that was just in the first half of the shop. All that electricity being wasted as heat; all those extra carbon emissions . . . My mental maths makes me scowl a lot these days.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/sep/25/eco-lightbulbs-energy-saving-bills">Continue reading...</a>10:10 climate change campaignEnergyEnergy billsEnergy efficiencyEnergyGreenhouse gas emissionsEnvironmentHousingHousehold billsConsumer affairsGreen buildingThu, 24 Sep 2009 23:05:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/sep/25/eco-lightbulbs-energy-saving-billsPhotograph: Felix ClayAlok Jha puts in a low-energy lightbulb. Photograph: Felix ClayPhotograph: Felix ClayAlok Jha puts in a low-energy lightbulb. Photograph: Felix ClayAlok Jha2009-09-24T23:05:02ZAt last, an LED bulb worth talking about | Alok Jhahttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/green-living-blog/2009/sep/09/led-light-bulb
Other LEDs disappoint, but the new bulb from Philips has the power to drag low-carbon spotlights out of the shadows<p>I've tried everything to resist but I'm afraid this post is going to start with a cliche: I've seen the light. The shadows have receded. You get my drift. Last week <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2009/aug/31/100w-incandescent-lightbulbs-axed" title="incandescent light bulbs began">incandescent lightbulbs began</a> their long-awaited march out of existence and, at the same time, the next generation of ultra-low-power lightbulb has come a step closer to practicality.</p><p>I'm not talking about the compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) that everyone is busy replacing their energy-wasting incandescents with. Instead, I mean the bulb that is one technological step beyond CFL, the LED. Until now, LEDs have been a disappointment for everyday use but Philips has come up with a new bulb that will hopefully make the doubters shut up.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/green-living-blog/2009/sep/09/led-light-bulb">Continue reading...</a>EnergyEnergy efficiencyGreen buildingEnvironmentTechnologyEthical and green livingWed, 09 Sep 2009 12:05:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/green-living-blog/2009/sep/09/led-light-bulbPhotograph: PhilipsNew energy saving LED bulbs from Philips. Photograph: PhilipsPhotograph: PhilipsNew energy saving LED bulbs from Philips. Photograph: PhilipsAlok Jha2009-09-09T12:05:14ZMind the gaps – time to insulate and save on heating as eco-loft extension hits final stages | Tom Lipinskihttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/jul/31/green-renovation-insulation
Our green makeover is in its final stages – and the last few steps are a hard slog through refurb fatigue<p>With the structure of our <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/apr/17/green-your-home-tom-lipinksi" title="eco-loft extension">eco-loft extension</a> finally complete, we have thrown ourselves into insulation overdrive. We want to do away with central heating – in the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/apr/20/greenbuilding1" title="loft to start with but eventually in the house">loft to start with, but eventually in the house</a> as well – so we've taken an almost Scandinavian approach to the entire "separation from the elements" concept.</p><p>We insulated over, under and between the timber structure. We squeezed silicone in between the cuts and joints. We added vapour barriers and thermo-reflective breather membranes on both inside and outside of the insulation and then we taped up all the joints for good measure. The bits we couldn't get to directly received a generous dose of tightly packed Rockwool or expanding foam. In the end we consumed over 12m³ of Kingspan and nearly 30 rolls of Rockwool – most of it ended up in the loft.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/jul/31/green-renovation-insulation">Continue reading...</a>EnvironmentGreenhouse gas emissionsCarbon footprintsEnergyEnergy billsEnergy efficiencyEnergyRecyclingWaterLife and styleFri, 31 Jul 2009 10:51:50 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/jul/31/green-renovation-insulationPhotograph: Tom LipinskiTom's maisonette makeover is almost finished. Photograph: Tom LipinskiPhotograph: Tom LipinskiTom's maisonette makeover is almost finished. Photograph: Tom LipinskiTom Lipinski2009-07-31T10:51:50ZGreen your home: The solar panels are in place and the electricity meter is fallinghttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/jul/13/green-home-solar
When the sun shines, enough energy is generated to run nearly everything in the house, from TV to lighting<p>Finally: our electricity meter is now running backwards! <a href="http://www.southernsolar.co.uk/" title="Southern Solar">Southern Solar</a> put our nine lovely solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in place on the flat roof on Monday, each in a sloping weighted bed and looking aerodynamically safe for our windy corner. Anyway, they survived Monday and Tuesday's winds. And they scarcely show above the edge of the flat roof.</p><p>The meter excitement came a bit later, on Wednesday, when the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverter_(electrical)" title="inverter">inverter</a> was put in to make the current palatable for our home. When the sun shone, about 1.5kW of power was generated, enough to run virtually everything in the house, from TV to lighting. The total energy delivered was measured on a meter in the hall: we could see it mounting up with a small indicator flashing every time a watt-hour was delivered. We read the electricity meter outside, and it went down after less than an hour. This is our new reality after years of dreams.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/jul/13/green-home-solar">Continue reading...</a>Green buildingSolar powerEnergyEnergy efficiencyRenewable energyEnvironmentEthical and green livingMon, 13 Jul 2009 10:45:54 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/jul/13/green-home-solarPhotograph: Frank BaronAnn Link and her partner Richard Hudson at their home in Lewes. Photograph: Frank Baron/Frank BaronPhotograph: Frank BaronAnn Link and her partner Richard Hudson at their home in Lewes. Photograph: Frank Baron/Frank BaronAnn Link2009-07-13T10:45:54ZYou ask, they answer: Smart Solarhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jun/30/you-ask-they-answer-smart-solar
Put your energy questions to Smart Solar, the Oxfordshire-based firm that supplies photovoltaic solar panel systems for domestic use<p>In the<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/series/you-ask-they-answer" title=" You Ask They Answer"> You Ask, They Answer</a> spotlight this week is <a href="http://www.smartsolar.co.uk/" title="Smart Solar">Smart Solar</a>, an Oxfordshire company that produces <a href="http://www.pvmicrogeneration.com" title="photovoltaic solar panels for domestic use">photovoltaic solar panel systems for domestic use</a>. Managing director, Jonathan Stobart, will be on-hand to answer all your questions about how to install solar generation in your home and garden.</p><p>What are the pitfalls in applying for planning permission for solar panels? How do you qualify for the government's £2,500 grant to help you install the technology? What will the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/jun/15/solar-photovoltaic-power-motion" title="" feed in tarrif"">"feed-in tariff"</a> planned for next year mean? Is it really sunny enough in the UK to make it worth it anyway?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jun/30/you-ask-they-answer-smart-solar">Continue reading...</a>EnvironmentSolar powerRenewable energyEnergyEnergy efficiencyEnergy billsMoneyBusinessGreen buildingTue, 30 Jun 2009 14:30:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jun/30/you-ask-they-answer-smart-solarGuardian Staff2009-06-30T14:30:24Z'Bent piece of wood' method worked. Now it's time to hit the roof | Tom Lipinskihttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/jun/29/green-your-home-insulation
Roof terrace is finished, so now we're fitting the best windows and insulation<p>Our "bent piece of wood on rope" method worked (eventually) and we now have the complete roof terrace (or "upper deck") structure in place. It was a gruelling process and, I have to admit, we have wasted shamefully unsustainable amounts of wood.</p><p>At the same time we have finished the roof at the front of the house including a heat reflecting breathable membrane and our own reclaimed roof tiles. We have also managed to get new triple glazed Velux windows that have just become available in the UK giving us <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-value_(insulation)#U-value" title="U-Value">U-Value</a> of 0.9 W/m2K. Greatly improved sound insulation is an added advantage but it all comes at a price.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/jun/29/green-your-home-insulation">Continue reading...</a>Green buildingEnvironmentEnergy efficiencyGreenhouse gas emissionsMon, 29 Jun 2009 10:36:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/jun/29/green-your-home-insulationPhotograph: Tom Lipinski'Bent piece of wood on rope' method is used to build the roof terrace, or upper deck structure. Photograph: Tom LipinskiPhotograph: Tom Lipinski'Bent piece of wood on rope' method is used to build the roof terrace, or upper deck structure. Photograph: Tom LipinskiTom Lepinski2009-06-29T10:36:12ZGreen home myths: you don't have to be wealthy or a tree hugger to make energy efficient changes to your homehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/may/27/dick-strawbridge-green-homes
Dick Strawbridge, BBC TV presenter and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/apr/20/greenbuilding-climate-change">green home expert</a>, dispels some of the myths surrounding eco home renovations<p><strong>1) Environmentally friendly installation is expensive</strong></p><p>All insulation is environmentally friendly. Some installation has better environmental credentials, but what matters is the energy it saves. There is something nice about insulating the loft with reused sheep fleece, or recycled bottles, but if the cost of the insulation is putting you off doing it don't think twice: buy the cheapest. Some stores have sold <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/feb/13/b-q-loft-insulation-1-offer" title="">insulation as cheap as £1 a roll</a> in the past. All insulation takes energy to make it, but that is not a reason not to invest in it. The savings, for both the planet and the bank account, can be impressive. Incidentally, you need about 270mm of insulation in your loft which is about a foot deep — anything less and you're wasting valuable heat.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/may/27/dick-strawbridge-green-homes">Continue reading...</a>Energy efficiencyMediaEnergyEnvironmentEnergy billsBusinessWed, 27 May 2009 11:25:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/may/27/dick-strawbridge-green-homesPhotograph: BBCDick Strawbridge, BBC TV presenter and green home expert. Photograph: BBCPhotograph: BBCDick Strawbridge, BBC TV presenter and green home expert. Photograph: BBCDick Strawbridge2009-05-27T11:25:00ZWe're braced for a 1.5 tonne green roofhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/may/26/greenbuilding-carbon-emissions
Tom Lipinski finds that communicating his vision to the builders is crucial in getting the right touches to his eco-extension<p>The easy parts of our home's <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/may/07/green-your-home-greenbuilding-energy">new eco-extension</a> are now complete, including a new front roof and new floors. So recently we've started on the trickier business of upgrading the fabric of the existing building.</p><p>Once the chimneys were removed, we closed off all the openings to our neighbours' stacks with spare bricks left lying around from earlier work. We then rendered all the walls internally to improve air tightness as well as sound insulation - the existing mortar was so old we could see through between most of the old bricks. This also gave us a flat surface which is much more appropriate for rigid board insulation.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/may/26/greenbuilding-carbon-emissions">Continue reading...</a>EnvironmentGreen buildingGreenhouse gas emissionsEnergy efficiencyTue, 26 May 2009 15:02:50 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/may/26/greenbuilding-carbon-emissionsPhotograph: Tom LipinskiWork continues on Tom Lipinski's eco home project in west London. A new flat roof structure is laid more densely than normal to allow for the extra load of an anticipated green roof. Photograph: Tom LipinskiPhotograph: Tom LipinskiWork continues on Tom Lipinski's eco home project in west London. A new flat roof structure is laid more densely than normal to allow for the extra load of an anticipated green roof. Photograph: Tom LipinskiTom Lipinski2009-05-26T15:02:50ZZero-carbon eco home is light years aheadhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/may/21/active-house-denmark-zero-carbon
The dream of zero-carbon living is being realised on an estate in Denmark. Andrew Purcell takes a tour of the world's first Active House<p>Solar panels warm underfloor heating. Fifty square metres of solar cells generate electricity. Computer-controlled windows automatically regulate internal temperature.</p><p>This is the last place you would expect to find the solar-powered home of the future. Lystrup, a suburb of Denmark's second city, Aarhus, is grey from street to sky. The spring sun, hidden behind a bank of clouds that doesn't break once on my week- long visit, barely seems strong enough to run a pocket calculator, let alone meet the energy needs of a family of four. But it is here that a dream of zero-carbon living is being realised.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/may/21/active-house-denmark-zero-carbon">Continue reading...</a>Ethical and green livingEnergy efficiencyCarbon footprintsHousingSocietyEnvironmentDenmarkWorld newsEnergySolar powerRenewable energyGreen buildingGreenhouse gas emissionsEuropeWed, 20 May 2009 23:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/may/21/active-house-denmark-zero-carbonPhotograph: Morten FauerbyActive House: an ultra efficient house in Denmark that captures more energy than an average family needs to heat and power it. Photograph: Morten FauerbyPhotograph: Morten FauerbyActive House: an ultra efficient house in Denmark that captures more energy than an average family needs to heat and power it. Photograph: Morten FauerbyAndrew Purcell2009-05-20T23:01:00ZGreen your home: The great green giveawayhttps://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-giveaway
Where to look to make some serious savings<p><strong>Householders wanting to save money on </strong><strong>bills could be forgiven for not making their gas supplier their first port of call. After all, British Gas and the rest want to make more money out of us, not less, don't they? But energy companies are sitting on thousands of pounds in largely unclaimed grants and benefits – </strong><strong>go</strong><strong>ing well beyond the free energy-saving lightbulbs that many </strong><strong>already dish</strong><strong> out to households.</strong></p><p><strong>Energy companies must also offer grants to enable householders to make their homes more energy-efficient in order to hit carbon emission reduction targets under a government initiative, the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (Cert), launched in April last year.</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-giveaway">Continue reading...</a>Home improvementsEnergy billsHousehold billsPropertyMoneyEnvironmentGreen buildingEnergy efficiencyEnergyFri, 08 May 2009 23:06:11 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-giveawayGuardian Staff2009-05-08T23:06:11ZGreen your home: The Bedroomhttps://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-bedroom
See the light with LED bulbs, why radiator valves aren't worth the cost, and how to get double glazing without the sales patter<p></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-bedroom">Continue reading...</a>Home improvementsEnergy billsHousehold billsPropertyMoneyEnvironmentGreen buildingEnergy efficiencyEnergyFri, 08 May 2009 23:06:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-bedroomGuardian Staff2009-05-08T23:06:10ZGreen your home: The kitchenhttps://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-kitchen
From boiler to kettle to hob, the kitchen is full of energy-guzzling appliances. A monitor will help you keep track<p></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-kitchen">Continue reading...</a>Home improvementsEnergy billsHousehold billsPropertyMoneyEnvironmentGreen buildingEnergy efficiencyEnergySmart metersFri, 08 May 2009 23:06:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-kitchenGuardian Staff2009-05-08T23:06:08ZGreen your home: The bathroomhttps://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-bathroom
Are air source pumps a load of hot air? And is it worth splashing out on a composting toilet?<p></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-bathroom">Continue reading...</a>Home improvementsEnergy billsHousehold billsPropertyMoneyEnvironmentGreen buildingEnergy efficiencyEnergyFri, 08 May 2009 23:05:51 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-bathroomGuardian Staff2009-05-08T23:05:51ZGreen your home: The rewards of solar panelshttps://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-solar-panels
Ashley Seager spent £8,500 on solar roof panels and is now reaping the rewards<p>We live in an old terraced house on a cloudy, rainy island. Yet the solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on our roof, put up two years ago, are supplying around 90% of all the electricity used by my family.</p><p>The initial cost is high, but don't let that put you off. Two key developments in recent months have made it worth considering solar PV panels.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-solar-panels">Continue reading...</a>Home improvementsEnergy billsHousehold billsPropertyMoneyEnvironmentGreen buildingEnergy efficiencyEnergySolar powerFri, 08 May 2009 23:05:48 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-solar-panelsPhotograph: Frank Baron/GuardianAshley Seager outside his solar-panelled house. Photograph: Frank Baron/GuardianPhotograph: Frank Baron/GuardianAshley Seager outside his solar-panelled house. Photograph: Frank Baron/GuardianAshley Seager2009-05-08T23:05:48ZGreen your home: Andy and Luci Phipps on building an eco-extensionhttps://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/building-eco-extension
Andy and Luci Phipps have added an eco-extension to their 1920s three-bedroom house<p>Andy Phipps recently added an eco-extension to his three-bedroom house, and, with wife Luci, is now planning various other measures that will hopefully cut their carbon footprint and energy bills even further.</p><p>They bought their house in a village­ near Guildford five years ago. It was built in the 20s, and had been extended once in 1987.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/building-eco-extension">Continue reading...</a>Home improvementsEnergy billsEnergy efficiencyHousehold billsPropertyMoneyEnvironmentGreen buildingEnergyFri, 08 May 2009 23:05:11 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/building-eco-extensionPhotograph: Andy PhippsInsulation and class-A windows at Andy Phipps' green home. Photograph: Andy PhippsPhotograph: Andy PhippsInsulation and class-A windows at Andy Phipps' green home. Photograph: Andy PhippsAndy Phipps2009-05-08T23:05:11ZGreen your home: The gardenhttps://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-garden
Composting isn't the only way to utilise your garden's resources – a ground source heat pump can reduce fuel bills too<p></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-garden">Continue reading...</a>Home improvementsEnergy billsHousehold billsPropertyMoneyEnvironmentGreen buildingEnergy efficiencyEnergyFri, 08 May 2009 23:05:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-gardenGuardian Staff2009-05-08T23:05:06ZGreen your home: The living roomhttps://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-living-room
A wood burning stove not only looks good, it runs on renewables and getting your wall cavities insulated is an investment that will pay for itself over and over<p></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-living-room">Continue reading...</a>Home improvementsEnergy billsHousehold billsPropertyMoneyEnvironmentGreen buildingEnergy efficiencyEnergyFri, 08 May 2009 23:05:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-living-roomGuardian Staff2009-05-08T23:05:05ZGreen your home: The roofhttps://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-roof
Just how much can harnessing the power of the elements save you? Not surprisingly, it all hinges on the weather<p></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-roof">Continue reading...</a>Home improvementsEnergy billsHousehold billsPropertyMoneyEnvironmentGreen buildingEnergy efficiencyEnergySolar powerFri, 08 May 2009 23:05:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-roofPhotograph: Murdo Macleod/GuardianYou could club together with neighbours to buy a 'proper' wind turbine. Photograph: Murdo MacleodPhotograph: Murdo Macleod/GuardianYou could club together with neighbours to buy a 'proper' wind turbine. Photograph: Murdo MacleodGuardian Staff2009-05-08T23:05:04ZGreen your home: The full overhaulhttps://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-overhaul1
Case study: Ann Link and Richard Hudson overhaul their 1950s semi<p>Ann Link and her partner Richard have just embarked on an eco overhaul of their 1950s semi. They are installing solar panels and lots of insulation, among other improvements.</p><p>Ann has worked at an environmental charity since the late 80s, while ­Richard is a software designer. Last year the couple sold their five-bedroom London terrace and moved to Lewes, East Sussex, "because it's hilly, close to the coast and near my parents", Ann says.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-overhaul1">Continue reading...</a>Home improvementsEnergy billsHousehold billsPropertyMoneyEnvironmentGreen buildingEnergy efficiencyEnergyFri, 08 May 2009 23:05:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/may/09/green-your-home-overhaul1Photograph: Ann LinkA solar hot water frame on the flat roof of Ann Link's home Photograph: Ann LinkPhotograph: Ann LinkA solar hot water frame on the flat roof of Ann Link's home Photograph: Ann LinkGuardian Staff2009-05-08T23:05:00ZGreen your home: External wall insulation suddenly looks a sexy proposition, says Rob Veckhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/apr/27/green-your-home-external-wall-insulation
Rob Veck wonders whether he should start his eco-renovation by reducing home energy usage or indulge his love of gadgetry<p>I'm a bit of a gadget man. So in my bid to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/apr/16/green-your-home-rob-veck">give my house a green makeover</a>, I've been reading around the subject of renewable technologies. I had thought that the "silver bullet" to eco heating was a combination of a heat pump and solar photovoltaic panels (to offset the cost of running the pump). One unit of energy to get four back seems a good proposition, until you start to dig into it further.</p><p>By <a href="http://www.greenhomediary.co.uk/co2-savings-of-heat-pumps/">my calculations</a>, heat pumps cost a lot of money. I'm not saying they should be dismissed as an option, but suggest they need careful thought. Air source heat pumps are another option and have a comparatively affordable upfront price, but they usually have lower efficiency and therefore look as if they'll have higher running costs.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/apr/27/green-your-home-external-wall-insulation">Continue reading...</a>EnvironmentGreenhouse gas emissionsEnergy efficiencyMon, 27 Apr 2009 15:07:30 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/apr/27/green-your-home-external-wall-insulationRob Veck2009-04-27T15:07:30Z